After discussing for a while longer, the elders decided that since no clues could be found at the scene, there was no point in remaining. They could only order the teams to return to the sect and make further plans.
On the way back, Lin Taichu deliberately slowed down and fell to the rear of the group. At the same time, he watched the expressions and movements of everyone around him, looking for anyone acting strangely. Unfortunately, he found nothing suspicious along the way.
After returning to the sect, all the teams gathered in the council hall to report their investigation results to the elders. Without exception, none of the five teams had found any trace of the unknown force, nor had they made any new discoveries. The atmosphere in the hall was oppressive, and no one spoke.
After a long silence, Supreme Elder Tang Xuan said, "There is no need for anyone to blame themselves. This opponent is too cunning, and their methods exceeded our expectations."
"The fact that they left no clues at the scene was certainly no accident. Considering how well-hidden the secret lookout was, this was most likely the work of someone inside the sect."
The moment those words were spoken, a stir arose in the council hall. Everyone knew that an internal traitor was more terrifying than an external enemy. Yet Tang Xuan's next words surprised them even more. "The open investigation ends here."
The elder of the Scripture Pavilion added, "We have no evidence. Blindly investigating everyone will only cause panic among the Inner Disciples and give the traitor an opportunity to take advantage of it. Besides, the traitor is deeply hidden. An open investigation would only alert them."
"From now on, everyone should carry out their own duties while secretly keeping an eye